RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to preliminarily investigate whether an enlarged geniculate ganglion fossa (GGF) on temporal bone computed tomography can diagnose GGF fracture in patients with traumatic facial paralysis by evaluating the diameter of the GGF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent computed tomography before confirmation of GGF fracture on otologic surgery were recruited into a study group. Additionally, a cohort of 107 patients with no histories of head trauma, no structural abnormalities of inner ear, and no clinical symptoms of facial nerve disability who underwent computed tomography for other reasons were selected as a control group. The diameters of the GGFs of the study group were evaluated by two observers and compared retrospectively with those of the control group. Wilcoxon's test was used to compare discrepancies of both sides, and intraclass correlation coefficients were used to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reliability. RESULTS: The measurement of diameters showed good interobserver and intraobserver consistency. The discrepancy in the measurement of transdiameter between both sides of the GGF on reformatted transverse images of the study group was significantly different from that of the control group (Wilcoxon's test, P < .001). Discrepancy in the GGF on transverse images of the study group was larger than that of the control group. A significant difference existed in the discrepancy in vertical diameter between the study and control groups (Wilcoxon's test, P < .001) as well. CONCLUSIONS: An enlarged GGF on temporal bone computed tomography offers an additional sign for the diagnosis of GGF fracture in patients with traumatic facial paralysis.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to preliminarily investigate whether an enlarged geniculate ganglion fossa (GGF) on temporal bone computed tomography can diagnose GGF fracture in patients with traumatic facial paralysis by evaluating the diameter of the GGF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients who underwent computed tomography before confirmation of GGF fracture on otologic surgery were recruited into a study group. Additionally, a cohort of 107 patients with no histories of head trauma, no structural abnormalities of inner ear, and no clinical symptoms of facial nerve disability who underwent computed tomography for other reasons were selected as a control group. The diameters of the GGFs of the study group were evaluated by two observers and compared retrospectively with those of the control group. Wilcoxon's test was used to compare discrepancies of both sides, and intraclass correlation coefficients were used to evaluate intraobserver and interobserver reliability. RESULTS: The measurement of diameters showed good interobserver and intraobserver consistency. The discrepancy in the measurement of transdiameter between both sides of the GGF on reformatted transverse images of the study group was significantly different from that of the control group (Wilcoxon's test, P < .001). Discrepancy in the GGF on transverse images of the study group was larger than that of the control group. A significant difference existed in the discrepancy in vertical diameter between the study and control groups (Wilcoxon's test, P < .001) as well. CONCLUSIONS: An enlarged GGF on temporal bone computed tomography offers an additional sign for the diagnosis of GGF fracture in patients with traumatic facial paralysis.
Authors: J C Benson; K Krecke; J R Geske; J Dey; M L Carlson; J Van Gompel; J I Lane Journal: AJNR Am J Neuroradiol Date: 2019-07-11 Impact factor: 3.825